Which grouping of computers shares a common directory database and security policies in Active Directory?

The correct answer is that domains are the groupings of computers able to share a common directory database and security policies in Active Directory.

In an Active Directory environment, a domain is essentially a logical grouping of objects such as users, computers, and services that share the same Active Directory database. This database allows for centralized management of these resources, meaning that policies, permissions, and security settings can be applied uniformly across all computers and users within that domain. This centralized architecture simplifies management and enhances security because it allows system administrators to enforce consistent policy settings and security protocols.

Each domain operates independently but can also interact with other domains in a network, especially within a forest. This feature of Active Directory is essential for large organizations that require a structured method of managing identities and resources across different departments or geographical locations.

The other options do not embody the characteristics of a shared directory database and security policies. For instance, a workgroup lacks centralized management, which means each computer operates independently without any shared directory or security settings. Clusters, while related to ensuring high availability of services, do not inherently provide directory services or security policies. Networks refer to a broader concept that encompasses all types of interconnections between computers and devices, which does not specifically denote a structured management framework like